By Joan Clayton: PNT columnist Each dawn brings a brand new day … one that has never been lived before. It comes tiptoeing through my window with spectacular splendor. The hues of pink streaked with rays of sunshine make an indescribable painting of beauty. The mockingbird’s overture begins as he cheerfully bows before nature’s audience. […]

By Marlena Hartz: Freedom Newspapers New Mexico’s Advance Directive for Health Care states in plain lettering: “You have the right to give instructions about your own health care.” The standard 8-by-11 inch document, popularly referred to as a living will, can be obtained from most law firms and hospitals. But as the Terri Schiavo case […]

By Jim Lee: PNT columnist This country has become so obsessed with polarization in recent years, I no longer feel confident in knowing what deserves consideration for what. Of course the most obvious division is Democratic and Republican. Most Americans are one or the other, but that does not eliminate the confusion, even in this […]

By Joan Clayton: PNT columnist It’s been said, “What you said yesterday is what you are living today.” In other words, we are a product of our words. Words have power, positive or negative. It is awesome and sobering to realize you and I have within us the potential for building or destroying, and we […]

Freedom Newspapers I n small ways and more sweeping assaults, government officials have been closing their windows to public scrutiny. It is a troubling and ironic trend. Coming as the president speaks eloquently of developing democratic institutions across the world, Americans cannot be complacent about our own. It is time to seek more openness from […]

By Joan Clayton: PNT Religion Columnist “Breezy, our new horse, checked out the boundaries in his pasture. He wanted to know the limits of his new home and I like to think he also wanted to know that he was safely enclosed in his “space” and that he was secure in Emmitt’s love and care. I […]

By Kevin Wilson Officials working on the Portales Inn Hotel are optimistic that parts of the building could be open for business come this summer. Bill Raisbeck, a former hotel developer who lives in Portales, has been working on restoring the hotel, which hasn’t been in use for about six years. Raisbeck is hoping for […]

By Joan Clayton: PNT Religion Columnist Every generation has heard about the “good old days,” but I remember a time when our lives were governed by The Ten Commandments, good judgment and common sense. We were taught the difference between right and wrong and to take responsibilities for our actions. Until we come to grips […]

By Helena Rodriguez Only 359 shopping days left until Christmas. I don’t want to stress you out now. By the way, there’s only 45 shopping days until Valentine’s Day. Enough of that though. The only thing on most of our minds right now is counting down to 2005, which is now less than 24 hours […]

By David Irvin Sen. John Kerry gave a moving concession speech Wednesday, pleading that President Bush work toward national healing and unity in his next term. An hour later Bush said something quite similar, promising to work for the respect of those who didn’t vote for him. However, some area professors are skeptical Bush will […]

By Kevin Wilson On Monday, I frequented one of my three favorite movie rental places in Portales. I found the movie I wanted right away, but had no cash on me and felt it awkward to write a $1 check. What followed is what I like to call browsing. During my browse, I managed to […]

By Laurie Stone Editor’s Note: The News-Tribune is doing this story as part of a weekly series on local business owners that have been with their respective businesses for five years or longer. Businessman Gary Lowman has been serving his community for the past five years by repairing and installing brakes, shocks, struts and mufflers […]

By Charlie Carmichael I just don’t know how it’s possible the dry land milo and hay crops are changing so fast. Just last weekend the milo heads were barely turning a little colored and now some of the fields are so reddish and all is maturing so fast. The hay fields are so thick and […]

By Jim Lee Those of us in this community who have remained reasonably close to consciousness realize an election will take place in November. But how many of us know about the one this Tuesday? Registered Portales citizens need to vote on this week’s alcohol issue. When I did my informal poll, I discovered that […]

By Dave Wagner Unless he gets hurt or something goes drastically wrong, senior Steven Hinson will be ENMU’s starting quarterback this fall for the second consecutive year. Elliott said after Saturday’s situational scrimmage at the ENMU practice facility that the real battle is for the No. 2 position. “Steven’s No. 1, (redshirt freshman) Michael Benton’s […]

By Helena Rodriguez I interrupt this long, hot summer for some important breaking news. It’s urgent, more pressing than our current national security code level. It commands your full attention. It’s back-to-school time! Back-to-school time! Back to school! In case you missed it, “School! School! School!” Only 28 shopping days until school starts in Portales […]

By Joan Clayton: PNT Religion Columnist The physical and emotional stress of meeting needs of loved ones can be debilitating. Even if that loved one is in a rest home, many needs still have to be met. The responsibilities can be overwhelming. Uncle Steve, the last of many relatives we have helped, is now 92. […]

By Helena Rodriguez I’m under attack! It’s personal. It’s political. It’s spiritual. It goes straight to my heart. There is no middle ground! And it’s not just me. America is under attack! Since we were attacked on Sept. 11, 2001, Congress has become like suicide bombers, launching Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) on us. First […]

By Jim Lee What really annoys me is a skinny cooking show host. If that stuff the host is demonically devising is anywhere near as good as claimed, why is that person skinny? It has about as much credibility as Bob Vila in a body cast. Who’s going to believe a fix-everything toolmeister who falls […]